Alpha
A stigmatized teenager confronts bodily transformation and family grief amid an epidemic-haunted 1980s Le Havre.
Ember's analysis
- Pacing
- Measured
- Intensity
- Strong
- Complexity
- Layered
- Violence
- Moderate
- bleak
- oppressive
- visceral
- late night arthouse viewing
- body horror marathon
What critics said
Critics were divided, with some praising the performances and emotionally ambitious body-centered treatment of illness and mourning while others found the storytelling overwrought, humorless, and tedious.
What sets it apart
May contain story progression spoilers
Alpha's bleeding tattoo, Amin's deteriorating body, and the sealed ward make disease physically and emotionally legible.
Alpha is thirteen, ostracized at school, rumored to be infected, and assaulted after receiving a tattoo.
The film links bodily deterioration and corporeal shock with mourning, familial love, and remembrance.
Alpha's mother works in a quarantined hospital ward while the family absorbs the consequences of epidemic panic at home.
Films like Alpha, and why
Titane
shared body horror, intimate family trauma, and emotionally abrasive transformation
Climax
shared epidemic anxiety, corporeal imagery, and bleak social isolation
Raw
shared adolescent alienation, disturbing bodily change, and oppressive atmosphere
The White Ribbon
shared disease panic, mourning, and austere psychological drama
Movie Details
- Director
- Julia Ducournau
- Release Date
- 2025-08-20
- Runtime
- 128 min
- Rating
- 6.2 / 10 (142)
Cast
- Mélissa Boros
- Tahar Rahim
- Golshifteh Farahani
- Emma Mackey
- Finnegan Oldfield
- Louai El Amrousy
- Ambrine Trigo Ouaked
- Zohra Benbetka
- Fadila Belkebla
- Sofia Nait
Where to watch in United States
- Rent
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex
- Buy
- Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home
Streaming options come from TMDB and change over time.
Common questions
- What is Alpha about?
- A stigmatized teenager confronts bodily transformation and family grief amid an epidemic-haunted 1980s Le Havre.
- What is Alpha like to watch?
- Ember's analysis rates the pacing of Alpha as measured, its intensity as strong and its storytelling as layered.
- Is Alpha violent?
- Somewhat. Ember rates the violence in Alpha as moderate.
- What did critics think of Alpha?
- Critics were divided, with some praising the performances and emotionally ambitious body-centered treatment of illness and mourning while others found the storytelling overwrought, humorless, and tedious.
- Which films are like Alpha?
- Films with a similar feel include Titane, Climax, Raw, and The White Ribbon.
- How long is Alpha?
- Alpha runs 128 minutes.
- Where can I watch Alpha?
- In United States, Alpha is available to rent or buy from Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, YouTube, Fandango At Home, Plex.
